| Local name: Commonwealth of Australia |
| Surface : 7.682.300
Kmq - (2,969,909 sq miles)......Australia
is the sixth largest country in the world. |
| Population : 18,532,200
(1997) inhabitants |
| Electricity: The electrical
current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three
pin power outlet is different from that in North America so you will
need an adapter socket. If your appliances are not 240/250 volts you
will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 11 OV
appliances are usually found in leading hotels. |
| Climate: The climate is generally pleasant
without extremes in temperatures. Broadly there are two climatic zones.
In the north, above the Tropic of Capricorn, about 40 percent of
Australia is in the tropical zone. The remaining areas lie in the
temperate zone. However, because of Australia’s vast size, there are
variations within these zones. The temperate regions have all four
seasons, while those in the tropical zone have two: summer ("wet")
and winter ("dry"). Australia's seasons are the opposite to
those of the Northern Hemisphere. Spring: September-November - Summer:
December-February - Fall: March-May - Winter: June-August |
| PASSPORTS: Valid
passport required by all. VISAS: Required
by all except the following: nationals of New Zealand; nationals of
the following countries do not need to obtain a transit visa before
travel if they are continuing their journey to a third country within
8 hours of arriving in Australia: EU countries, Andorra, Argentina,
Brunei, Canada, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Rep. of),
Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated
States of), Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,
Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand,
Tonga, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City, and Zimbabwe. All other
nationals must obtain a transit visa before travel, irrespective of
the period of transit in Australia. Transit visas are free of charge. |
| Capital : Canberra -
Population: 309,500 (1997) |
| System : Constitutional
Monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1901. Federal Parliamentary
State. All individual
States and Territories have their own autonomous legislative,
executive and judicial systems (though certain powers remain under the
jurisdiction of the Federal Government). |
| Main Cities : Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide |
| Languages : English, |
| Religions : Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, protestan 17% |
| Money : Australian dollar ($A) - Australian
currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents
equals one dollar). |
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